How much do solar panels cost?
Lets write about Solar energy tips and costs. Harnessing solar energy does generally not cause pollution. However, there are emissions associated with the manufacturing, transportation and installation of solar power systems – almost nothing compared to most conventional energy sources. It is clear that solar energy reduces our dependence on non-renewable energy sources. This is an important step in fighting the climate crisis.
Is solar power really expensive? This is probably the most debatable aspect on the entire solar energy pros and cons list. The driving forces behind the development of solar energy are rooted in politics. Solar power is incentivized to compete against other energy sources on the market. On the other hand, the U.S. government, similarly to the rest of the world, provides incentives to every major energy production market – not just solar.
Installing a solar power system on your home means you can lock in a price of energy for at least the 25 year life of the solar panels. You know how much energy the solar panels will produce so that once you get an accurate price quote you know exactly how much each kilowatt-hour of energy will cost you over the next 25 years. Many consumers are now able to get a levelized cost of energy of $0.10 per kilowatt hour. When you compare this to the average amount you will pay to your utility for power over the next 25 years, the average consumer with a $150 per month power bill can see savings in the range $30,000 over the life of a solar system. The monthly savings don’t start out being huge, perhaps only $50 per month but in the 25th year it can reach savings of $300 per month. You can use this solar savings calculator to check what your savings will be based on usage and utility rates.
Solar panels (also known as photovoltaic panels) are installed on your home. The solar panels convert light (photons) into electricity (voltage). Each panel is connected to a microinverter that changes the electric current from DC (direct current) to AC (alternating current). Each microinverter operates independently of the others so that if one stops working your system is still generating maximum power. An alternative to being tied to the utility company is an off-grid solar panel system. An off-grid system is similar to a grid-tied system with the exception that all the solar energy that is generated is stored in solar energy battery banks in your home. A charge controller sits between the batteries and the solar cells to ensure that the batteries do not overcharge. With an off-grid system you are 100% electricity independent.
The process of installing solar panels on your home and switching to solar electricity starts with a free survey of your home where we also perform an energy review to determine how photo voltaic solar panels can help reduce your energy costs. We create a custom installation plan that’s efficient and effective without compromising the quality of the results. Before we begin, we will walk you through the entire solar installation process down to the smallest detail to ensure you understand what will be done and how you’ll benefit.
The typical time need to see a return on investment is going to depend on your specific installation. The direction your roof faces in relation to the amount of sun it receives, the number of solar panels you need and whether you install an off-grid or grid-tied system will determine how much money you save each month and how long it takes for you to recoup your investment. A typical solar panel installation takes anywhere from 3 to 7 years to see a return. Read more info on Denver solar energy for homeowners.